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Terce for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: tɜrs

What does Terce really mean?

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Terce is a word that might sound unfamiliar at first, but don't worry, I'm here to help you understand it easily. "Terce" is a word used to describe a specific part of the Divine Office, which is a set of prayers and readings that are said or sung by members of certain religious communities. Imagine the Divine Office as a beautiful musical composition, and "terce" is like one of the notes that make up this composition.

So, let's dive a little deeper into what exactly "terce" means in the context of the Divine Office. In this musical composition of prayers and readings, the Divine Office is divided into different parts, just like a song divided into verses and choruses. These parts are called "hours." Each hour represents a different time of the day, and "terce" is one of those hours.

To make it clearer, let's imagine that the Divine Office is like a day-long journey. Just like we have different times of the day, such as morning, afternoon, and evening, the Divine Office has different hours marking different moments of spiritual reflection throughout the day. And just like we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner as distinct meals, the Divine Office has different hours that are like spiritual meals for the soul.

Now, "terce" specifically refers to the third hour of this day-long spiritual journey. So, if we go back to our analogy of the day, "terce" would be like the hour around mid-morning when the sun is getting higher in the sky, and we start feeling more energized after breakfast. It's a moment to pause, reflect, and connect with our faith.

In addition to its role as an hour in the Divine Office, "terce" also has another meaning. In medieval times, it was used to represent a specific period of time in the early morning, usually lasting from around 9 a.m. until noon. So essentially, it became a term to indicate a portion of the morning.

To sum it all up, "terce" is a word that has two main definitions. In the context of the Divine Office, it represents the third hour of the day-long spiritual journey, providing a moment for prayer and reflection. Additionally, in medieval times, "terce" referred to a period of time in the morning, usually from 9 a.m. until noon. So, whether we're talking about the Divine Office or the medieval concept of time, "terce" is a word that helps us understand the different aspects of a day, both in a spiritual and secular sense.

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Miller on 2023-10-30 05:40:13

Terce In a sentece

Learn how to use Terce inside a sentece

  • During terce, the students have a short break to rest and have a snack.
  • On Fridays, the school schedule is altered, and terce is moved to a later time.
  • Terce is the time when students have their morning recess to play and socialize.
  • After terce, the students return to their classrooms to continue with their afternoon lessons.
  • During terce, the students have the opportunity to go outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Terce Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Terce Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.